A nine-year-old girl managed to escape a potential kidnapper on her way home from school.

Now police have relapsed a picture of a man they wish to speak with in relation to the incident.

At about 4.45pm on November 2, 2018, the girl left school and boarded a bus in Putney High Street.

Approximately 15 minutes later, she got off the bus at Dover Park Drive where she noticed a man sitting at the stop.

He started a conversation and tried to convince her to come home with him, promising her sweets if she did so.

She refused and ran away but was chased down the road by the man until she reached her address.

As she neared the building, the suspect grabbed her by the hair but she managed to get inside and close the door behind her, stopping him from entering.

He is described as a tall black male, wearing dark clothing at the time of the incident.

Detective Constable Matt Morse, leading the investigation, said: “While incidents like this are rare we are very keen to trace this man and would urge anyone who can identify him to come forward.

“Anyone with information should call 101 with CAD reference 5937/02NOV.”